Redemption

Second Chance Gay Romance

By: Garrett Leigh

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.

Luis Pope is back on the street after a six-year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighborhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.

Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’ rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.

And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis is the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis is happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.

Redemption is an angsty, stand-alone M/M romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.

©2020 Garrett Leigh (P)2020 Garrett Leigh

Loved this book!

Dan Calley is a fantastic narrator and this is my favorite Garrett Leigh story!

Loved this

This was a sweet and angsty second chance, friends to lovers romance!!

The storyline was engaging and compelling and the characters were likeable and well fleshed out.

The plot was well executed and the writing style was engaging.


I especially loved the narration. It was on point.

Great story and narration!

Luis and Paolo seem like an unlikely pair but wow...they balanced each other perfectly and they were hot together! Luis had the bad boy past, prison record and no family to back.him... Paolo had a successful restaurant and loving grandparents yet Luis was the even tempered gentle man who only wanted to move on from his past and Paolo was the tough and grumpy man who pushed everyone away. Once Paolo let down his guard and hired Luis to work for him, he grew to know and love the real man underneath his reputation and rough exterior. I love Dan Calley's interpretations of each character and his voice is so sexy and perfect for Garrett Leigh's books. I love their collaborations! This pair never disappoints and I highly recommend this book.

Edge of your seat

This was an excellent story and audiobook. I love a redemption story, especially when it involves someone who’s been to prison finding someone to love them and give them a second chance.

Garrett knows how to make you feel every emotion that runs through Luis and Paolo, especially the loneliness and pain Luis feels. That man breaks my heart. He never really wanted to be a part of the life that sent him to prison, and now that he’s on the outside he has to figure out how to adjust, find a job, and avoid getting dragged back into his brother's world. And when he finds someone who he cares about…his old life comes calling. Gah, that poor, kind man.

He deserves happiness, and to be wrapped up in Paolo’s arms, living a happy life working alongside his man. They are perfect for each other. Luis’ calm to Paolo’s fiery temper. They soothe each other.

This is a tension-filled, edge-of-your-seat story that is gritty, and real, but ultimately hopeful and tender.

Dan Calley did an amazing job as the Narrator of this. It took a beat to adjust to the thick accent, but it was perfect for the story and characters. I can’t imagine it any other way now.

Who Doesn’t Love A Good Redemption Story?

There isn’t a dang thing that Garrett Leigh can’t write with the conviction and knowledge that makes it seem like she’s right there living that life with her boys. This story is definitely one of the best ones she’s written so far and that’s saying something coming from someone who has her at the top of all of my recommendations and her books are some of my absolute favorites... did I spend most of this book in tears like I have with some of her books? No, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t phenomenal. Luis was a broken man, just got out of jail after 6 years and a mistake that he knows was bad but he isn’t that person anymore and when he meets Paolo it’s fate. Their chemistry is off the charts from the very beginning and there’s something about Paolo that lets Luis feel safe and seen in a way no one has ever seen him. He knows his former life, led by his drug dealing manipulative brother is going to come back to haunt him but he never dreams it would affect him the way it does. Paolo didn’t want to fall for Luis but he really sees the good man Luis is and knows one of them has to believe he’s worthy of being taken care of and loved. I felt all the emotions throughout this book, sadness and sorrow, happiness, the explosive chemistry, the love these boys have for each other, the hatred for Dante and the despair Luis feels as he does what he thinks he has to. There’s so many layers to this one and I am so glad Paolo never gave up on Luis even when Luis let him down. They both deserved their happy ending!

When you add in the audio narration by Dan Calley, who is absolutely one of my favorite voices ever, this book soars to new heights. Dan nailed this narration down to the tiny nuances in the voices when the characters are feeling some type of way. You can tell Dan loves what he does and he is an absolute auto-buy for me!

5 huge stars from me but I’d give this one more if I could!